By them I mean anyone that you're willing to allow yourself to listen. I believe it was Ralph Waldo Emerson that said, "Every man I meet is in some way my superior."
Our ego doesn't want us to believe that statement, but it's true. We're not perfect and when we realize that, we see that we can learn so much from everyone around us.
Put your ego aside and learn from someone today. Preferably someone that you thought yesterday had nothing at all to teach you.
This is a place for my writings about ideas, family, philosophies, business, faith, and making the world a little brighter.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
To multitask or not to multitask. That is the question.
We all multitask. It's become a way of life. But, should we?
I think we'd all agree that the ability to focus is a key component in being productive regardless of the situation. By multitasking, we are deliberately unfocused.
Instead of wasting energy changing back and forth between tasks, focus 100% of your attention on one single thing. Then move on to the next. You'll be amazed at how much more productive you are. This rule goes for conversations, work, making dinner, reading, exercising and everything in between. Try it and let me know how it goes!
I think we'd all agree that the ability to focus is a key component in being productive regardless of the situation. By multitasking, we are deliberately unfocused.
Instead of wasting energy changing back and forth between tasks, focus 100% of your attention on one single thing. Then move on to the next. You'll be amazed at how much more productive you are. This rule goes for conversations, work, making dinner, reading, exercising and everything in between. Try it and let me know how it goes!
Monday, January 16, 2012
There was one thing that Dr. King didn't do
Martin Luther King Jr. was a great example of what a leader should be. We all know of his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, but that was just one piece of the elaborate puzzle that Dr. King put together in his time. From being the youngest person up to that point to win the Nobel Peace Prize (age 35) to leading his "Poor People's Campaign" to start a multicultural movement to provide aid to the less fortunate, Dr. King inarguably made a difference.
There was one thing that Dr. King didn't do. He didn't wait for someone else to make the changes that were needed. He didn't make excuses. He didn't complain that he didn't have enough money or time or resources. He MADE it happen.
Leaders don't wait around on things to happen. They make things happen. Make things happen today in your relationships, your job, your passion. No one else is going to do the hard work. Be the one to do it. Make Dr. King proud.
The toughest part about being a mom
Like I've said in the past, I'm obviously not a mom, but I have the privilege of seeing a great one work every day.
So what's the toughest part about being a mom? Never ending laundry? Dirty dishes that seem to multiply? Being the master scheduler? Dealing with the emotional tornado that comes with a family? Keeping your loved ones fed?
Actually, it's none of the above. The hardest part is showing up every day.
I could be a great mom... for a day. I could keep the house clean, do the dishes, have the laundry folded and put away, be patient with the kids, have meals prepared, etc. But can I keep up the hard work tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that?
For so many of us, we give up on our dreams by simply not showing up. What you do when you get there is not as important as being there every day.
Whether your goals are relational, business-related or spiritual, make sure you show up today. And tomorrow. And the day after that...
So what's the toughest part about being a mom? Never ending laundry? Dirty dishes that seem to multiply? Being the master scheduler? Dealing with the emotional tornado that comes with a family? Keeping your loved ones fed?
Actually, it's none of the above. The hardest part is showing up every day.
I could be a great mom... for a day. I could keep the house clean, do the dishes, have the laundry folded and put away, be patient with the kids, have meals prepared, etc. But can I keep up the hard work tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that?
For so many of us, we give up on our dreams by simply not showing up. What you do when you get there is not as important as being there every day.
Whether your goals are relational, business-related or spiritual, make sure you show up today. And tomorrow. And the day after that...
Saturday, January 14, 2012
They are watching
Someone is always watching you. Whether you like it or not. They are looking for you to do great things, perform your daily routine or fail miserably. Regardless of the reason, they are watching. So I have just one question...
Who are you going to inspire today?
Who are you going to inspire today?
Friday, January 13, 2012
The Tim Tebow Paradox
There's a paradox surrounding Tebow and professional sports right now. I think it's the same paradox that many of us face in our daily lives.
You see, sports journalists have been complaining for some time now that we need some "good guys" in sports. They are tired of the sport getting a bad name because of a few trouble-makers. They complain that the media gives all of the attention to the bad guys and ignores the good guys.
Enter Tim Tebow. He's not perfect. None of us are. But he's humble. He works hard. He gives credit where credit is due. He's a sportsman when he wins and when he loses. He casts positivity when he speaks. He doesn't make excuses. Sounds like the perfect guy for the media to focus on. And they are. So the sports journalists are all happy. Have a nice day!
Unfortunately, Tebow is living the paradox that many of us create in our own lives. We want something. We get it. Then we decide that we want more. When the first iPhone came out, it was wonderful. Better than expected. Now, after the latest iPhone was released, no one wants the original because it's just not good enough.
I'll be blunt (because I'm again guilty). That constant desire to need more and better things (toys, relationships, etc.) is a reflection of where we are internally. Those journalists that criticize the same man that they wished for a year ago are missing something.
What I find ironic is that the very thing they are missing is the exact thing that they criticize Tim Tebow for having.
You see, sports journalists have been complaining for some time now that we need some "good guys" in sports. They are tired of the sport getting a bad name because of a few trouble-makers. They complain that the media gives all of the attention to the bad guys and ignores the good guys.
Enter Tim Tebow. He's not perfect. None of us are. But he's humble. He works hard. He gives credit where credit is due. He's a sportsman when he wins and when he loses. He casts positivity when he speaks. He doesn't make excuses. Sounds like the perfect guy for the media to focus on. And they are. So the sports journalists are all happy. Have a nice day!
Unfortunately, Tebow is living the paradox that many of us create in our own lives. We want something. We get it. Then we decide that we want more. When the first iPhone came out, it was wonderful. Better than expected. Now, after the latest iPhone was released, no one wants the original because it's just not good enough.
I'll be blunt (because I'm again guilty). That constant desire to need more and better things (toys, relationships, etc.) is a reflection of where we are internally. Those journalists that criticize the same man that they wished for a year ago are missing something.
What I find ironic is that the very thing they are missing is the exact thing that they criticize Tim Tebow for having.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
3 reasons to tell the truth
- It builds character. Candor takes courage, but each of us is better in the long run when we speak and hear the truth.
- It simplifies life. It may be hard in the moment, but it ultimately makes life more simple for everyone.
- Honesty is contagious. It sets a good example, not just for your kids (which is important enough), but for everyone around you. While the truth will cause some people to distance themselves from you, generally people are relieved by truth and transparency.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
When you assume...
I think you probably know how the rest of the saying goes.
We all make assumptions throughout our day. We assume that our brakes are going to work when we press the pedal. We assume that the red light is eventually going to change to green. We assume that our favorite restaurant didn't close over night.
The problem with assumptions is that when we assume, we do more than make a fool out of ourselves; we end up hurting other people. Often we do this by making an assumption about how our family and friends feel about a given situation, decision or just life in general. This is a tough one because no one can ever really know what another person is feeling. We can only know what they show us or tell us.
One thing that seems to work for my family is the idea of an emotional gas tank (or emotional bank account if you prefer). The basic idea is that each of us knows where we stand in terms of our current emotional, physical and spiritual state, but we often keep that inside and leave our family and friends wondering. Using the idea of the emotional gas tank, we can use a number to describe how we feel to it makes it easier to share.
There are a few critical rules to follow to make this work:
We all make assumptions throughout our day. We assume that our brakes are going to work when we press the pedal. We assume that the red light is eventually going to change to green. We assume that our favorite restaurant didn't close over night.
The problem with assumptions is that when we assume, we do more than make a fool out of ourselves; we end up hurting other people. Often we do this by making an assumption about how our family and friends feel about a given situation, decision or just life in general. This is a tough one because no one can ever really know what another person is feeling. We can only know what they show us or tell us.
One thing that seems to work for my family is the idea of an emotional gas tank (or emotional bank account if you prefer). The basic idea is that each of us knows where we stand in terms of our current emotional, physical and spiritual state, but we often keep that inside and leave our family and friends wondering. Using the idea of the emotional gas tank, we can use a number to describe how we feel to it makes it easier to share.
There are a few critical rules to follow to make this work:
- Be honest about your number. If you aren't going to be honest, you don't care much about making your relationship better and you might as well stop reading now.
- It's fair to ask your spouse for their number at any time.
- It's fair game to tell your spouse your number at any time.
- Never question the other person's number. They are the only one that knows the truth.
- Don't be defensive if your spouse's number is low. Instead, see it as an opportunity to grow and do something about it (if you're ever read this book, you'll know exactly what to do!)
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
When to use your dinner-party bests
I'm sure most of you held or attended a few get-together's over the holidays. I did too and there was something that I noticed about myself. I often save my best attitude, my best clothes and my best manners for special occasions with people that I barely know. That's a very self-serving approach and I have to admit guilt on this one.
While I may give a good impression in a crowd when I take that approach, I should be saving those "bests" for the people that I truly care about. The family and friends that put up with my crankiness when I've stayed up too late. And what about my kids that have to deal with my bad mood because I had a long day at work?
It's not that looking nice and using my manners is a bad thing, but I need to save most of that for my family and friends. I'm going to try to be more aware of the impression that I'm leaving on those closest to me on a daily basis. I'll still save the fine china for the dinner parties, but I can use my other dinner-party bests every day.
While I may give a good impression in a crowd when I take that approach, I should be saving those "bests" for the people that I truly care about. The family and friends that put up with my crankiness when I've stayed up too late. And what about my kids that have to deal with my bad mood because I had a long day at work?
It's not that looking nice and using my manners is a bad thing, but I need to save most of that for my family and friends. I'm going to try to be more aware of the impression that I'm leaving on those closest to me on a daily basis. I'll still save the fine china for the dinner parties, but I can use my other dinner-party bests every day.
Monday, January 9, 2012
I'm a wide receiver in the NFL
Actually, I'm not. But nothing stops me from proclaiming it. Of course, anyone that knows me will say that I'm off my rocker, but still, I can make any statement that I want about myself.
I think Christians get a bad rap because of this exact scenario. I can call myself a Christian, but that doesn't really mean that I'm playing for that team. There are a lot of people out there wearing the Christian jersey and giving the Christian team a bad name.
So, before you go judging the NFL based on my time in the 40 and my ability to catch a pass against a professional DB, make sure I'm really on the team. I just ask that you do the same when you're judging Christians.
I think Christians get a bad rap because of this exact scenario. I can call myself a Christian, but that doesn't really mean that I'm playing for that team. There are a lot of people out there wearing the Christian jersey and giving the Christian team a bad name.
So, before you go judging the NFL based on my time in the 40 and my ability to catch a pass against a professional DB, make sure I'm really on the team. I just ask that you do the same when you're judging Christians.
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